Nine years ago, Thomas Deng and Awer Mabil began to bond over football in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
They were two South Sudanese refugees who attended the same school, played for the same local club and their families were linked together through their community.
On Tuesday morning, Deng and Mabil made their international debuts for Australia together. The two youngsters came on as second-half substitutes in the Socceroos' 4-0 rout of Kuwait and a dream moment for the pair became all the more remarkable when Deng played a crucial role in setting-up Mabil to score with a well-taken finish.
Melbourne Victory defender Deng won possession to spark a counter-attack that fell to Mabil inside the box and, despite his inexperience at international level, the 23-year-old winger calmly slotted Australia’s fourth and final goal. According to Deng, he had predicted just as much.
"I told him he was going to score before the game. I’m very happy for him that it came off," Deng said.
Both Mabil and Deng were born in Kenya as South Sudanese refugees before migrating to Australia as young children, growing up in South Australia.
They lived in Andrews Farm in North Adelaide and played for local club Playford before Deng moved to Melbourne to further his career, while Mabil was given his first professional contract with Adelaide United on his way to moving to Europe.
“We grew up together. Nine years ago we were playing in the park together and we were at the same school," Mabil said.
Denmark-based winger Mabil made his debut after his second call-up to the national team, while Deng earned his first cap in his first squad selection for Australia.
Having the comfort of his childhood friend by his side made it easy for Mabil to adjust to international football, ridding him of the nerves that come with debuts.
“It makes it easier. I haven’t looked back at the goal but when I look at it it will bring back the memories from the past when we used to play together," Mabil said.
"It made it easier when I saw him there, there’s no nerves because he’s behind me and all other players are behind each other. It made it easier with Thomas there. It’s amazing.”
Deng, in action for Australia’s under-23 side earlier this year, made a confident senior bow.Credit:AP
Newly-appointed Australian coach Graham Arnold had no hesitation injecting Deng into the match when fullback Josh Risdon succumbed to fatigue.
The 21-year-old never expected to make his debut from his first call-up but showed no signs of nerves when thrust into the game.
“I just tried to come on and do my part for the team,” Deng said. “It’s a dream come true."
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